The anterior portion of intraoral radiographs

NOTE : all this from my reading in some scientific website and articles

I hope that you enjoy and you benefit❤

1. the anterior portion of intraoral radiographs.
Mandible
The mandible is a nice place to start as there are fewer anatomical landmarks
identifiable in the anterior region (compared to the maxilla). There are four
anatomical landmarks frequently identifiable: lingual foramen, nutrient canals,
mental ridge, and inferior border of the mandible.

The lingual foramen appears as a small radiolucent circle directly inferior to the
central incisors. It is not always visible on every patient.

2. Nutrient canals (vascular canals) are canals containing blood vessels coursing
throughout the maxilla and mandible. They are very small and more commonly
seen in areas of thin bone (hence the anterior mandible). They appear as a
radiolucent line or band coursing in a vertical direction.

The mental ridge (mental triangle) appears as two oblique thick radiopaque
bands that that meet in the midline giving it the appearance of an inverted V or
triangle shape. This is more commonly seen when an increased negative vertical
angle is used.

3. The inferior border of the mandible appears as a thick radiopaque band.
Maxilla
The maxilla has quite a bit more anatomy evident including a good portion of the
nasal cavity.

The intermaxillary suture appears as a thin radiolucent line between the two
maxillary central incisors. It may not be visible on all patients.

The incisive foramen appears as a round to ovoid radiolucent area between the
roots of the maxillary central incisors.

4. The anterior nasal spine appears as an inverted radiopaque triangle or V-
shaped. It is on the midline and superior to the apices of the maxillary central
incisors.

The incisive fossa appears as a well-localized radiolucent area around the root
of the maxillary lateral incisor. This is due to a decrease in bone thickness in this
region.

5. The soft tissue of the nose appears as a radiopaque area superimposed over
the maxillary anterior teeth. The tip of the nose is seen over the maxillary central
incisors. The ala of the nose is seen over the lateral incisors.

The floor of the nasal cavity appears as a thin straight radiopaque line.

6. The nasal cavity appears as a radiolucent area superior to the floor of the nasal
cavity.

The nasal septum appears as a radiopaque band going superior from the floor
of the nasal cavity. It is on the midline.

7. The inferior nasal concha appears as a round to ovoid radiopaque mass
superior to the floor of the nasal cavity.

The Y line of Ennis (inverted Y) is not a true anatomical landmark but seen only
on radiographs due to superimposition of the floor of the nasal cavity (straight
radiopaque line) and the border of the maxillary sinus (curved radiopaque line).
The border of the maxillary sinus appears as a curved, thin radiopaque line
superior to the roots of the canine and posterior teeth. The maxillary sinus
appears as a radiolucent area superior to the border of the maxillary sinus

8. This is part 2 (posterior) of anatomy on intraoral radiographs.
Mandible

The mental foramen appears as a round to oval radiolucent area near the apex
of the second premolar.

The inferior alveolar nerve canal (mandibular canal) appears as radiolucent
band with two thin radiopaque lines running parallel to each other (superior and
inferior). If only one border it visible, it is more likely the inferior border.

9. The external oblique ridge (external oblique line) appears a thick radiopaque
line that runs obliquely as it descends and superimposes over the roots of the
molars.

The mylohyoid ridge appears as a thick radiopaque line frequently seen near
the roots/apices of the posterior teeth.

The submandibular salivary gland fossa appears as an area of more
radiolucent bone inferior to the mylohyoid ridge.

The inferior border of the mandible appears as a thick radiopaque band.

10. The coronoid process is seen on maxillary molar periapicals. It appears as a
triangular radiopaque area superimposed over the maxillary molars and
tuberosity.
Maxilla

The border of the maxillary sinus appears as a thin radiopaque line
superior/superimposed over the roots of the posterior teeth. The maxillary sinus
appears as a radiolucent area superior to the border of the maxillary sinus.

The zygomatic process of the maxilla appears as a U, V or J shaped
radiopaque line. It is superior to the first and second molars.

11. The zygomatic bone appears as a radiopaque area distal to the zygomatic
process of the maxilla.

The floor of the nasal cavity appears as a thin straight radiopaque line
superimposed over the maxillary sinus


Dental Radiographic Anatomy -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quqjYRIXm28



DONE BY
GHADEER HASSAN SUWAIMIL